The successful management of Global Operations

The prestigious Management Today/Cranfield School of Management Best Factory Awards have been running successfully in the UK since 1992. The purpose of the awards is to recognise and reward manufacturing excellence in the UK. The awards also provide an opportunity to undertake academic research into manufacturing operations. The International Best Factory Research Centre manages the research and the running of the awards.

The International Best Factory Research Centre, under its Director, Dr Marek Szwejczewski, has opportunities for individuals to study full-time or part-time for the PhD programme. There is an attendance requirement for all students during the first year of study.

We are particularly interested in supervising research in the following and related areas:

How do global manufacturing companies configure and manage their network of manufacturing plants?

The successful management of process innovation. The aim of this research is to examine how companies strategically plan an implement process innovation for competitive advantage.

Supplier relationship management by European manufacturing companies. The aim of this research is also to investigate how suppliers can contribute to NPD.

Transfer of manufacturing best practice across multi-site, multi-national companies.

Doctoral Researcher Profile:

Successful applicants will ideally have, or be currently completing, a masters degree in management and will preferably have one year's relevant work experience.